Just collected my E34 540i six speed manual from Dunedin and travelled 1200km to Huntly in the last couple of days...Travelled SH1 most of way, but turned off at Waiouru then travelled thru -Tamaranui-Otorahanga-Ngaruawhahia etc (more twist and turns that way)
The car is a Hellrot red, 2 owner, low kilometre (120), mint cond car, running on 16 inch rims with (225-55-16 fr and 245-50-16 bck) tyres..the car is pretty much "standard" but has msports suspension and msport seats.
My existing car is a E46 330i 5 speed Manual Sedan
...First Impressions
Handling... the car sits on the road and handles superbly, no problems whatever, feels and drives "smaller" than it looks, the car feels planted...handles better than my e46
Performance... apparently the car has 210 kw's of power and 400nm's of torques, it really doesn't "feel" like it...unless you stand on the throttles and rev the tits off it, that is. Doesn't have the instant throttle response or liveliness of my e46 330. I think the power is more old school bmw ...its there but the trick is accessing it...
Steering: heavy...(ish) but accurate, pick a line with smooth steering inputs, doesn't miss its mark, tracks superbly. The steering wheels a big ugly ol' thing tho.... more different to, than better or worse than the e46
Brakes...mmmmm this is where things go "awry"...it's bit like the performance, "ya gotta jump on'em to make em work", light braking application does virtually nothing to retards cars progress, only with "heavy" application of brakes, does something of "value" happen...I guess i've got to get used to them or upgrade 'em maybe..
In this area the e46 beats this car hand down....
Gear Box...she's a Getrag 6speed need I say more...shifts superbly doesn't miss a beat... use 1234 around town
use 3456 open road. My e46 has a Getrag 5peed ...which is also suberb
Anyway just a few thoughts to be picked over by everyone..the car in general is magnificent, looks good in red even on it's 16inch rims (which suprised me) the leathers full bison (black) awesome...the car is farelly "basic" in terms of equipment etc which is fine by me (less to go wrong) someones put in a "stereo" that looks kinda outta place, and someones also put a"boot spoiler" and "Msport badge" on her .... but thats ok
Will post photo's in next couple of days or so....keep tracking
